Like many other porgies, the Sheepshead has broad, flat teeth in the front of its mouth and wide molars on the sides of its jaws. It uses its teeth to grind up small crabs and to scrape barnacles off underwater ledges. Porgies are saltwater fishes characterized by a single dorsal fin and forked tail. They generally have deep, oval, compressed bodies and large heads.

Look For: A grayish porgy with 6 broad, dark vertical bars.

Length: 3'.

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters; sometimes in lower parts of estuaries.

Range: New York to Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and southward.